NHL Roundup : Flame Rookie Fleury Continues Hot Start With 2 Goals in Win

Rookie Theoren Fleury, whose reckless style of play has won the hearts of Calgary fans, appears to be making the Flames a better team.

Fleury, 20, who was called up from the minors earlier this week and was playing in only his second National Hockey League game, scored 2 goals Saturday night as the Flames beat the Edmonton Oilers, 7-2, at Calgary.

“Oh, it was a really big thrill for me,” he said of his first NHL goal. “It’s right up there with my experience in Moscow in the world junior championships (last season). Maybe I’m finally getting my chance.”

Doug Gilmour also scored 2 goals for the Flames, who moved 10 points ahead of the second-place Kings and 12 ahead of the Oilers in the Smythe Division race.

Calgary Coach Terry Crisp said Saturday’s performance by Fleury was a perfect example of why he has become a crowd favorite.

“The little water bug, he was just scooting out there, and the fans love that excitement,” Crisp said. “He’s colorful, talented and isn’t afraid to hit. It’s nice for everyone on our club when someone comes up to the NHL and does what he’s doing.”

Fleury had 3 assists in his NHL debut on Thursday in an 8-6 home victory over the Kings.

On Saturday, the Flames opened a 7-0 lead before Craig Redmond ended goaltender Rick Wamsley’s shutout bid at 15:39 of the third period. Former King Jimmy Carson scored the Oilers’ other goal at 18:34.

Montreal 3, Boston 1--Brian Skrudland scored a goal and set up another to help the Canadiens stretch their winning streak to 9 games with a victory over the Bruins at Montreal.

Chris Chelios and Peter Svoboda also scored for the Canadiens, who are 5-0-1 against the Bruins this season. Montreal, which is 21 points ahead of second-place Boston in the Adams Division, has outscored the Bruins, 18-7.

Boston peppered goaltender Patrick Roy with 21 of its 27 shots during the final 40 minutes but was unable to catch the Canadiens.

More than half the game was played with only linesmen Ron Finn and Mike Cvik officiating. Referee Terry Gregson fractured his left collarbone and suffered a slight concussion after colliding with Montreal’s Stephane Richer midway through the second period. He had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Washington 6, Chicago 3--Mike Ridley had a team-record 6 assists, including one on Kevin Hatcher’s tiebreaking goal 4:01 into the third period, as the Capitals beat the Blackhawks at Landover, Md.

The victory gave the Capitals a share of first place in the Patrick Division with the New York Rangers, 1 point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals are 8-0-2 in their last 10 home games, and Chicago has lost 11 straight on the road.

New Jersey 5, Detroit 2--Sean Burke returned to the lineup and stopped 26 shots and Aaron Broten set up a goal that sparked a 3-goal second period as the Devils beat the Red Wings at East Rutherford, N.J.

Burke, who had missed the past 4 games with a groin injury, was spectacular in the net, allowing only third-period goals by Steve Yzerman and Joey Kocur. By that time, New Jersey had opened a 5-0 lead en route to its second home victory in as many nights.

Vancouver 7, Pittsburgh 5--Tony Tanti scored 3 goals in a 6:46 span of the second period, and the Canucks tied a team record with 25 first-period shots as they beat the Penguins at Pittsburgh.

The Canucks, playing their third road game in four nights, ended a 0-2-1 slide and knocked the Penguins into second place in the Patrick Division, a point behind the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals.

New York Rangers 5, New York Islanders 1--Recently acquired Carey Wilson continued his strong play with a second-period goal as the Rangers extended their unbeaten streak to 7 games with the victory at Uniondale, N.Y.

Wilson, who has 11 points in 6 games since the Rangers acquired him in a Dec. 26 trade with the Hartford Whalers, scored his fourth goal as a Ranger and 15th of the season. With Wilson in the lineup, the Rangers are 5-0-1.

Buffalo 6, Toronto 1--Rick Vaive scored 2 goals as the Sabres ended a 4-game losing streak by beating the Maple Leafs at Toronto.

Vaive, who started his NHL career with the Maple Leafs, has 5 goals in 6 games as a Sabre since being acquired from Chicago for Adam Creighton on Dec. 26.

St. Louis 7, Philadelphia 4--Ex-Flyer Peter Zezel scored twice, including the go-ahead goal late in the second period, as the Blues beat the Flyers at St. Louis.

Zezel, obtained by St. Louis from the Flyers on Nov. 29 for Mike Bullard, directed a centering pass from Bernie Federko past goalie Ron Hextall for his 11th goal of the season at 14:40 of the second period, giving St. Louis a 5-4 lead.